William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a man from England who wrote plays and poetry. Many people think that he is the greatest English writer of all time and one of the greatest in the world. He wrote plays about history and tragedy. He also wrote comedies. His poetry and plays are about being human, with feelings such as love, jealousy, anger. Many of Shakespeares plays have been turned into Hollywood films, most famously Romeo & Juliet. Shakespeare wrote his works between around 1590 and 1613. Shakespeare wrote in an old style of English not used today.

On the opposite page is a small dialogue taken from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. On the left is the original text and on the right is a translation into modern English. Using the text on the opposite page see if you can understand the meaning of the following words.

Thou

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Art

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Bestrides

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Thy

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Wherefore

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Wilt not ____________

Now find a partner with a Robert Burns sheet and see if you can find some of

the differences and similarities between Shakespeare and Burns.

Romeo & Juliet Scene 2 Act 2

Original Shakespeare
Romeo: (aside) She speaks. O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art as glorious to this night, being o'er my head, as is a winged messenger of heaven Unto the white, upturned, wondering eyes of mortals that fall back to gaze on him when he bestrides the lazypuffing clouds and sails upon the bosom of the air. Juliet: (unaware of Romeo) O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and Ill no longer be a Capulet. Juliet: (not knowing ROMEO hears her) Oh, Romeo, Romeo, why do you have to be Romeo? Forget about your father and change your name. Or else, if you wont change your name, just swear you love me, and Ill stop being a Capulet. Romeo: (aside) Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Romeo: (to himself) Should I listen for more, or should I speak now?

Modern Translation
Romeo: (to himself) She speaks. Oh, speak again, bright angel. You are as glorious as an angel tonight. You shine above me, like a winged messenger from heaven. Who makes mortal men fall on their backs to look up at the sky, watching the angel carried on the lazy-puffing clouds and sailing on the air.

Robert Burns
Robert Burns (1759-1796) was a man from Scotland who wrote poetry and songs. Many people think he is the greatest Scottish writer of all time and one of the greatest poets in the world. Burns wrote about the world around him including love, politics and friendship. His song Auld Lang Syne is played at closing ceremonies all over Japan and in Scotland it is sung on Hogmanay (New Years Eve). Burns wrote from 1775 up until his death in 1796. Burns wrote in an old style of Scottish English which is not used today.

On the opposite page is a small section taken from Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns. On the left is the original text and on the right is a translation into modern English. Using the text on the opposite page see if you can understand the meaning of the following words.

Auld

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Lang

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Syne

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Fiere

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Thine

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Waught ____________

Now find a partner with a William Shakespeare sheet and see if you can find some of the differences and similarities between Burns and Shakespeare.

Auld Lang Syne Chorus, 1st and 5th Verse

Original Burns
Chorus For auld lang syne, my jo, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne, 1st Verse Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days o' auld lang syne. 5 Verse
th

Modern Translation
Chorus And for old long past, my love, For old long past, We will take a cup of kindness yet, For old long past, 1st Verse Should old friends be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should old friends be forgot, And days of old long past. 5th Verse And there is a hand, my trusty friend! And give me a hand of yours! guid-willy And we will take a right good-will drink, For old long past.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak a right

waught, For auld lang syne.